Colorado Travel Guides

Colorado spotlight

Looking for a cozy cabin that opens onto a groomed run? Or perhaps a modern condo close to a good coffee shop? In Breck, you'll find everything from luxury homes large enough for your extended family to tidy units for one.

With more than 200 shops clustered around Main Street, Breckenridge's central byway, nearly everything you might want or need is within walking distance. From ski gear to fine jewelry, you can find treasures of all kinds in this friendly alpine town.

Adventure, creativity, and leisure are all popular pursuits in fun-loving Breckenridge. Whether your plans are to explore snowy peaks by ski or snowshoe, rediscover your dormant artistic talents, or sample the latest in craft brewing, this laid-back, alpine town is bound to please.

With a skyline defined by snowcapped peaks, it's no wonder Breckenridge is a skier’s paradise. But it also shines in the warm months. Spend a summer vacation here, and you’ll see the wisdom in the local saying; “You come for the winters, and stay for the summers.”

Breckenridge has always had a wild side, which is especially evident when you explore the city’s nightlife. Up on the slopes, you'll find late night venues with a sophisticated vibe. If you head downtown, you'll be surrounded by a casual ambiance more reminiscent of the city’s previous life as a mining town.

Snow on the slopes isn't necessary for families to enjoy Breckenridge. In fact, some family-friendly activities, like horseback riding and exploring old gold mines, don’t require any snow at all. And when there is snow on the ground, activities like dogsled racing prove that the city knows how to be creative with the white stuff.

Breckenridge’s former life as an Old West mining town comes to life through its modern cultural scene. The nonprofit organization BreckCreate has succeeded in blending the city's history with a folksy art scene defined by simplicity and craftsmanship. Travelers will find plenty of ways to explore this mix when they need a break from the ski slopes.

Breckenridge is a town flush with restaurants offering a variety of palate-pleasing dishes. After your alpine hike, have a farm-to-table meal or pair a pint of craft beer with a buffalo burger. A day on the slopes should always end with après-ski, and there are plenty of places to choose from up and down the mountain.

The snowy mountain peaks of Breckenridge make the city a prime international skiing destination during the winter. The mining town history, mild weather, and outdoor activities keep travelers coming all summer long. It is also a relatively remote location, which only adds to its charm.

Sitting proudly in the mighty Rockies, Vail is Colorado’s legendary ski resort. With over 2,000 hectares of skiable terrain and a massive off-piste area, Vail is large enough to keep powder hounds busy for weeks. In the summer, the mountain territory is transformed into a green playground, fit for hiking and biking. All year round, the resort towns brim with shopping, entertainment, and nightlife, providing a full-throttle mountain vacation.

Whether biking along a winding prairie path, lingering on a patio with a microbrew or discovering Western lore – exhilarating experiences unfold on a Denver vacation. Book a Denver hotel and immerse yourself in this captivating city.

When night falls in Denver, the city blazes into life under a constellation of neon lights and to a cacophony of beats. Its music scene is particularly strong, with superstars playing at iconic venues, and dance clubs attracting a diverse set of DJs. Smaller bars and clubs have everything from bluegrass to burlesque.

Keeping the kids entertained is easy in Denver, with a huge variety of interactive activities at prices which are kind to parents’ wallets. Whether you step into the ancient past and walk with the dinosaurs, or peek into the future of science, Denver provides endless fun for the whole family.

Though it’s a glittering metropolis, Denver is still deeply connected to the surrounding wilderness of the Rocky Mountains. Its museums and galleries celebrate the natural world and the early pioneers who headed west, while generous city parks keep the urban space grounded in greenery.

Powder hound or glamor puss? Friends on tour or family with kids? Whatever your style, there’s a resort area of Vail to suit it. There are elegant European-style villages if you want a bit of hustle, bustle, and après-ski entertainment, or you can choose a peaceful mountainside retreat. Vail is all about creating your ski trip your way, with few pretensions or set rules.

As ski resorts go, Vail is lavishly laden with shops. In fact, a stroll around the town is enough to have anybody lusting after luxury furs and top-quality ski togs. Beyond the winter sports shopping, Vail has a village atmosphere, with delis, grocers, and wine shops. If you fancy a break from the mountain, you can even head over to nearby Silverthorne to get a retail fix of all your favorite fashion brands.

Fast and furious, Vail is a year-round resort which barely pauses for breath. Throughout the snow season, this Colorado valley echoes with the sound of scraping, swooshing skis and the shrieks of children on high-flying adventures. But there’s more to enjoy here than just downhill skiing. There are cross-country activities for intrepid explorers, museums for history buffs, and alpine gardens for nature lovers. Bring an adventurous spirit, and Vail will do the rest.

Denver is a city made up of the historic and modern, with lots of older neighborhoods going through the process of sleek gentrification, and a booming economy fueled by the many major corporations who chose to move to this exciting city. It's not all about work however, and wherever you stay you can enjoy the leisurely side of Denver, with many sporting, artistic, and cultural events going on throughout the year.

Denver has a dazzling selection of indoor malls and outdoor shopping centers, with all your favorite brands in pedestrianized areas, and this means you get to pick from bargain outlets to upmarket boutiques. Don't worry if you don't enjoy the hustle of mall shopping, there are also lots of little independent stores, and areas where you can enjoy finding vintage and thrift bargains.

Vail cuisine is nothing if not innovative. There’s succulent seafood, all these miles from the ocean, as well as rich meats and steaks, which makes for a unique surf ’n’ turf scene in the mountains. The resort villages of Vail and Lionshead are packed with restaurants, ranging from gourmet establishments to fast food joints. You won’t starve at ski level either, with bistros at each of the ski areas, serving up warming, hearty fare.

Denver's diverse restaurant scene caters to the local foodie crowd, and this is a city that takes its cuisine seriously. Even in the most laid back of eateries, you'll find an attention to detail, with many establishments focused on locally grown and organic ingredients, and this is why so many popular chain restaurants have their roots in Denver. From filling fast food to refined restaurants, there's a lot on the menu here.

Gondola cruises, neighborhood strolls and jazz under the stars – Denver relishes its outdoor life style. Book a Denver hotel and join in the fun with this guide to top the 10 outdoor things to do in Denver.

The mile-high city boasts sleek, urban living surrounded by the Rocky Mountain wilderness. It’s the perfect blend of contemporary style and rich heritage, stretching back to the first pioneers who ventured west. With 300 days of sunshine a year, it’s a hard place to be miserable in, particularly with such a range of cultural activities and wild adventures to get involved in.